Balthasar Bickel

Evolutionary dynamics of maximal syllable complexity show no universal bias rooted in jaw biomechanics

The paper uses phylogenetic comparative methods to analyze syllable complexity across 5 language families, finding lineage-specific factors drive variation more than universal biomechanical biases.

Supra-regular recursion in primate vocal sequences

This study shows nonhuman primates use supra-regular recursive grammars in vocal sequences, challenging the idea that syntax is unique to humans.

Cortico-hippocampal dynamics of hierarchical syntactic planning in natural speech production

The paper investigates hierarchical syntactic planning in speech production using SEEG recordings, finding that core syntactic categories are planned before modifiers and that the hippocampus contributes to sentence structure building.

An inverse correlation between linguistic and genetic diversity

The paper shows that genetic diversity is inversely correlated with linguistic diversity, with isolation promoting linguistic diversification and contact promoting homogenization.

Global patterns of genetic admixture reveal effects of language contact

The paper uses genetic admixture to estimate language contact effects globally, finding shared features between admixed populations and language pairs in the same area.

A Phylogenetic Perspective on the Syntax-Semantics Interface: A Case Study in Clause Linkage Constructions

The paper models phylogenetic dynamics of clause linkage constructions across languages to assess semantic influence on syntax, finding moderate lineage-specific effects and minimal geographic impact.

Writing does not Impact the Evolution of Syntax

This study tests whether writing affects language evolution and use, finding no significant impact on hierarchy depth, sentence length, or clause combining in 30 and 59 languages.

Linguistic evolution minimizes the amount of syntactic hierarchy in grammar

The paper uses phylogenetic modeling to show that languages tend to minimize syntactic hierarchy in grammar, with cultural variation, likely due to learning costs.

Oldest attested languages in the Near East reveal deep transformations in the distribution of linguistic features

The paper analyzes linguistic features in ancient Near Eastern languages to show that their distributions differ from modern ones, indicating historical transformations in language.